Costume Jewelry: Handcrafted and Beaded Jewelry

Any outfit can be altered to have different looks when combined with the right costume jewelry. Costume jewelry plays an important part in enhancing the looks of a person. It could be bling for a casual evening out or a pair of simple teardrop earrings for a formal dinner. Too much bling can have disastrous effects. One needs to have to perfect balance of jewelry items for the right look.

Costume jewelry, which is handmade, has its own charm. Wearing your own designs or gifting them to someone special also adds to the personal touch. Today, one can see branded stores that cater to beaded and handmade jewelry. Handcrafted jewelry has been gaining much importance due to the exquisite designs and the novelty it offers. We can see handcrafted necklaces, earrings, bracelets and anklets available on the market. They can even include semi precious jewels and swarovski crystals. If you browse online, you can even find a websites, which accept orders for custom made handcrafted jewelry. Handmade jewelry may not really be complex as it sounds or looks. You can create beaded jewelry within the confines of your own home.

Here are some tips to create some stunning pieces of handmade jewelry.

Handcrafted Beaded Earrings:
What you will need-

• Head pins (2- These have a flat head at the bottom)
• Ear Wires
• Beads (Any kind)
• Round nose pliers (These are needed to make loops)

How to make beaded earrings:
Take your head pin and start putting some beads on the head pin. You can experiment with the size of the beads and even the color. Opt for two colors in the beginning. This would help to break the monotony. Now you will need to use the round nose pliers to bend the free edge of the pin. (Bend it at 90°) Now, bend the end of the pin into a loop to seal the free edge. All you need to do is add a wire to the loop and your earring is ready to be worn. Use some variations to create new designs.

Handcrafted Beaded Necklace:
Use these instructions to create a beautiful choker that will give an illusion of floating beads around the neck.

You will need-

• Clasp
• Wire cutters
• Crimping pliers
• Tigertail (A thin, nylon coated steel cable which creates the illusion of floating beads).
• Crimp Beads (18- These are metal beads that are flattened onto the tigertail. Crimp beads help to keep a bead in place)
• 4mm beads (8-Any kind)

How to make a beaded necklace:
First you need to cut the accurate length of the tigertail wire. Now slide a crimp bead and a part of the clasp on the tigertail. Next, you have to slide the tigertail back through the crimp bead. Once done, pull it tight. Now, you need to use the pliers to flatten the crimp bead. You should now trim the excess wire.

Once you decide upon the spacing between the beads, string them together and flatten the crimp bead, one at a time. Maintain the correct distance to space out the beads. Once you finish adding the beads, add the other part of the clasp to the second end. Voila! Your beaded necklace is ready!

Handcrafted Beaded Anklet:
You will need-

• Flat nose pliers
• Wire cutters
• Tigertail wire
• Clasp
• Crimps
• Beads (Around 4-6 mm)

How to make beaded anklets:
First hold your tigertail wire between your thumb and the forefinger. Now, slide the crimp bead onto the wire. Next, slide one half of the clasp. Now, using your other hand, take the 2-inch tail and pass it through the crimp bead. Do not push it too far; it should be enough, only to enable you to hold.

Now you should use the pliers to flatten the crimp bead. You will need to utilize the wire cutters to cut off any extra wire that is jutting out.

Now, you can slide your beads onto the wire. Keep the length in mind, as it should match the width of your ankle. Once done, slide another crimp from the other end. The other half of the clasp will go at this end. Push the crimps to the edge of the clasp and use the pliers to flatten the crimp. Your piece is ready to be worn!

Handcrafted beaded jewelry offers you various options to brighten up your day; they also make beautiful gifts or they can be used as good hobby activity to explore creative skills. Use this craft to create gorgeous pieces that are one of a kind and truly original.